Blind



H. J. MACKIN March 22, 1949.

BLIND 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 16, 1945 Inventor FZ" .3. '24 25 z' ,4.

March 22, 19449, H MACKlN 2,465,246

BLIND Filed May 16, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 22, 1949. H. J. MACKIN2,465,246

BLIND Filed May 16, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 fs l March 22, w49. H. J.MACKIN 2,455,246

BLIND Filed May 16,. 145 V4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Mar. 22, 1949 UNITEDSTATES ATENT OFFICE 14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a blind and particularly to the support for ablind. It has for one object to provide a means of making and assemblingthe box of supporting construction for a Venetian blind, although it isnot limited to that particular type of blind.

One object is to provide a method of making a support which is formed ofstandard pieces of uniform design, which may be separately made andreadily assembled.

Another object is to form a support for a blind in which the necessarymechanical means for blinds of any length are carried upon standardsupporting parts of uniform length, irrespective of the length of theparticular blind in which they are embodied.

Another object is to provide a method for forming a box or support whichcarries and encloses the necessary supporting and operating means for ablind.

Another object is to provide means for assembling a supporting box for ablind without the use of additional fastening means.

Other objects will appear from time to time throughout the specicationand claims.

This invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of a blind, showing the box orsupport in position with parts broken away;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken at line 2-2 of Figure 1 on anenlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional detail taken at line 3-3 of Figure 2on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken at line 4-4 of Figure 2 on anenlarged scale;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section taken at line 5 5 of Figure2 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the tape fastening means;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal vertical section taken at line l-'I of Figure2 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 8 is an elevation of one of the bearing supporting members;

Figure 9 is a section taken at line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an elevation of another bearing supporting means;

Figure 11 is a section taken at line II-II of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a plane View of one of the roller supporting means asblanked out and before shaping for use;

Figure 13 is a plan view similar to that of Figure 12 showing theopposite roller supporting member;

Figure 14 is a plan view of the two bearing supporting members justafter formation;

Figure 15 is an end View of a plank from which the rail or roller isformed; and

Figure 16 is an end view of a plank from which ie bottom rail of theblind is formed.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specificationand the drawings.

In the particular form here shown the invention is illustrated inconnection with a Venetian blind, although it might be used inconnection with blinds of another type. As shown in Figure 1, the box orsupport for the top of the blind is indicated generally by the numeralI. Pairs of tapes 2 and 3 extend outwardly from the box I and areprovided with means for supporting slats 5. At their lower ends thetapes are secured to a bottom rail 5. A tilting cord 6 extends outwardlyfrom the box I and raising and lowering cords 'I also extend outwardlyfrom the box I. The construction of the blind is shown generally inFigure 1 and in detail elsewhere.

The box or housing or support construction for the operating andsupporting parts of the blind is formed of two preferably identical sidemembers 8, 8. Each side member may be of metal but might be o1 othermaterial. The side members may be provided with corrugations 5 whichserve as stiffening means and also have some ornamental value. Towardthe bottom each member 8 is enlarged, as at I 0, and is provided with aninwardly turned ange I-I. Along their upper edges the members 8 are alsoenlarged, as at I2, and provided with inwardly turned flanges I3.

The bottom of the box is formed preferably of three pieces. These piecesmay conveniently be made of wood. As shown in Figure 2, there is acentral iloor member. I 4, a left-hand floor member I5 and a right-handoor member I6. Each of these members is provided on its lower surfacewith grooves il. These grooves, as shown particularly in Figures 3 and4, receive the flanges -II of the side plates 8 and thus the iloorplates Id, I5 and I6 are interlocked or intertted with the side members.

The bottom and side members are secured together by two plate-likemembers I3 and I S. These members are shown in position in Figures 2 to5, inclusive, and Figure 7, and are shown in elevation in Figures 8 and10. As shown in those iigures, the members I8 and I9, whatever theirgeneral shape, are provided on their lower faces with projectingear-like members which are received in notches or grooves 29a in themembers I5 and I 6. The members I8 and I9 are provided in their upperedges with members 2l which are received in the enlargements I2 of theside members and are engaged by the flanges I3. The members I 8 and I9are notched, as at 22, to receive the flanges I3 of the side members 8and also to receive the flange 23 of a cover member 24 which may beused, if desired. It is shown in position in Figures 3 and 4.

Where the invention is applied to or embodied in a Venetian blind, meansmust be provided for supporting a tilt rail upon which the tapes arethemselves supported. Means must be provided for tilting this rail andfor raising the slats. As shown the tilting rail comprises a member 25which is shaped with sides 2G which are outwardly and downwardly, Thesemay terminate in rounded portions 21. Longitudinal grooves 28 e and 29are formed, respectively, in the top and bottom of the rail 25. Insteadof continuous grooves 28 and 29, shorter depressions might be formed. Atone end a pin 30 is positioned in the rail 25 and it isl received in aperforation or hole 3I in the member I9, as shown in Figure 7particularly.

At its opposite end as shown in Fig. 5 the rail receives the squared end32 of a pin 33. The squared end 32 preferably fits Within acorrespondingly squared opening in a strap-like member 34 which embracesthe rail 25 by means of the portions 35 and 36 which, a's shown inFigure 5, fit respectively into the grooves 2S and 29 and are heldagainst displacement by screws 31, or otherwise.

Since only a bearing is required at the righthand end of the rail 25,the simple pin 30 suflices for that support. At the opposite end meansare required for tilting the rail 25. The pin 33 which is xed againstrotation with respect to the rail 25 by the cooperation of the squaredportion 32 with the corespondingly squared opening in the member 34 hasformed on it a worm gear 3B which meshes with a worm 39 on a shaft 40.At its outer end the shaft 40 carries a grooved pulley 4l over which thetilting cord or cable 5 is positioned.

While many different sorts of bearing housings might be provided for thestructure just described, it is convenient to form the member I8 of twocomplementary sections I8', as shown particularly in Figures 5 and 9.These sections are shaped, as at I 8", to provide suitable cavities forenclosing and supporting the gear 3B on the shaft 33 and the worm 39 onthe shaft 40. Obviously the invention is not limited to these detailsand the worm, the Worm gear and the shaft might be otherwise supportedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

The slats of the blind are supported by means of tapes 2 and 3, as abovementioned. The tapes 2 are shown generally in Figure 1 and in detail inFigure 4. They are positioned about the rail 25 and their upper ends areengaged under the fastening member 42, which is shown in elevation inFigure 6 and generally in Figures 4 and 5, This member is positionedwith the flanges 53 extending downwardly and is held removably in placeby one or more screws 44. It fits within the groove 28 and holds thetapes removably in position. A corresponding member is positionedadjacent the right-hand end of the rail 25 and similarly holds the tapes3 in place. Between the tapes 2 and between the tapes 3 are laddermembers 45 upon which rest the slats 4. These slats may be perforated,as at 46, to permit passage of the raising and lowering cords 1 Theraising and lowering cords are preferably secured to a bottom railmember 5 which is preferably heavier than the slats 4.

In addition to the means for tilting the tilt rail 25 and thus fortilting the slats, means for raising and lowering the blind areprovided, and these mea-ns include the cords 1 and means for movablysupporting them. At the left-hand end of the assembly a roller 48 ismounted for rotation between members 49, which are preferably integralwith a trough-like member 50. This member may be provided with points5I, 52 which, when the parts are assembled, t into or cut into the floormember I5. The floor member I5 is notched, as at 53, 53 to provideclearance for the tilting cord 6. It is generally cut away at one end,as at 54. This cut away portion provides an opening through which thetapes 2 extendand also provides an opening into which the members 49 andthe roller 48 extend, as shown in Figure 5.

As indicated in Figure 2, one portion of the raising cord 1 extends overthe roller 48 and moves more or less diagonally toward the righthand endof the blind. In addition to this, the right-hand portion of the raisingcord 1 extends vertically between the tapes 3 and over the roller 55which is supported for rotation by the members 56. These members formpart of a troughlike member or section 51 which may be provided withpoints 58. Also formed preferably integrally with the member 451 aremembers 59 between which is mounted for rotation a roller 60. VThis is adouble roller, as shown particularly in Figure 2. The members 59 extendthrough the cut away portion 6I of the floor member I5 and the members5G extend into the cut away portion 62 of the member I 5. The tapes 3also extend through the cut away portion 62. When the parts areassembled the points 58 fit into the oor member I9. As that member isformed of wood, they may act as blades and cut into that portion of thefloor member which they contact,

For convenience in manufacture the floor sections !5 and I6 which carrythe bearing supports may be manufactured from a single board or from apair of boards. One such board is shown in Figure 14. It may be cutalong a line 63 when finished, or if two boards are assembled togetherfor the shaping steps, they will be fitted together along the line 63.Assuming that a single board is to be used, it will occupy the positionshown in Figure 14 and will have formed in it simultaneously or bysuccessive operations the grooves 20a, the cut away portions 53, 54, 6Iand 62. These shapes may be provided by a single operationin otherwords, the board may be moved with respect to cutters which are arrangedsimultaneously to form all of the notches or cut away portions, or theymay be made by more than one movement. Either before the cut awayportions have been produced or afterward, the board is preferablyprovided with the vlongitudinal grooves I1.

The top rail 25 may be formed in any desired manner. There is shown inFigure l5 a plank or board 64 from which a plurality of the rails 25 maybe cut. The rails and the grooves in them are indicated in dotted lines.By forming the rails with the cross section indicated, a plurality ofthem can be formed from a single plank and by nesting them in reverseddirection with "respect to each other, a further economyfis possible.

As shown in Figure 16, a plank 65 has indicated upon it a plurality ofthe bottom rails 5. They are nested and reversed with respect to eachother so that an economy is achieved in manufacturing them from theplank shown.

The invention is not limited to the shape of the floor members shown inFigure 14, nor to the shape of the tilt rail of Figure or the bottomrail of Figure 16. These figures indicate suitable and appropriate formsfor these parts and indicate economical methods of manufacturing them.The present invention is not directed to the method of making thesemembers. This method is claimed in a co-pending application. The presentapplication is directed to the blind and to the support for the blindand, in particular, to the method of making the blind as a whole and tothe method of assembling it.

If desired, automatic means for holding the raising cord in adjustedposition may be used. The invention is not limited to the use of anyspecial means and the one which is illustrated is shown merely asindicating one suitable form of latch. As shown, a latch 'III is pivotedat 1I in the members 59. This member is so shaped and balanced withrespect to its point of support that it tends to fall with its point 'I2against the cord 'I. Thus it will engage the cord and when the cord ispulled downwardly it will run over the cord. When the cord is releasedthe point will be engaged by the cord and will latch it against furthermovement in the upward direction.

Although I have shown an operative form of my invention, it will berecognized that many changes in the form, shape and arrangement of partscan be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and myshowing is therefore to be taken as, in a sense, diagrammatic. Thus theshape and arrangement of the grooves and cut away parts in Figure 14might be varied. The extended portions 66 and 61 with their lateralanges 68 and 69, respectively, might be omitted. In general, the shapeof the members I5 and IB is dictated by the size and shape of thehardware or associated parts which are to be used with or supported bythem.

The main function of the extensions which form the cut away portions 54and E2 is to accomplish proper spacings of the members I5 and I6 withrespect to the central member I4. Any other spacing means might be used.The pulley boxes which support the pulleys 48, 55 and 60 might be ofsuitable length to accomplish this spacing.

As above described, the bottom of the box comprises the three pieces I4,I5 and I6. These are interlocked and held together with the side membersby the members I8 and I9. This interlocking construction might beembodied in a device in which the bottom is formed of a single piece,Although this would require making a box of proper length for eachinstallation and would therefore sacrifice some of the advantages of theinvention, it might be done where desired, and the invention istherefore not limited to a device in which the bottom of the box is madeof more than one piece. Similarly, a box o-f more conventional type inwhich the sides are fixed to the bottom by any means might be employedwith the three piece bottom construction shown and the invention istherefore not limited to a construction in which there is theinterlocking feature. Similarly, the bottom might be formed of more thanthree pieces. The feature of the multi-piece bottom is therefore notlimited to any particular side 6 construction nor to anyparticular meansfor holding the sides and the bottom together.

In Figure 1 and elsewhere a blind is shown supported by only two sets oftapes. More tapes might be used. The number of tapes or sets of tapeswill depend on the length of the blind. For each set of tapes an openingis required in the bottom of the box. It has been pointed out that thebottom of the box may be made of one member or of any desired number ofmembers. However the bottom is made, a suicient number of openings isprovided to permit each pair of tapes to pass through the bottom.Throughout the construction it has been emphasized that the parts fittogether by interlocking with each other and that they are normallyfastened and positioned by their shape, so that they are in effectsprung together. For some purposes and particularly where the blind isto receive especially heavy usage or where the wooden members may besubjected to rapid drying, if desired, screws or rails or otherfasteners may be added. Thus the brackets I8 and I9 might have members`or perforations so arranged as to receive nails, screws or otherfasteners.

The use and operation of this invention are as follows:

Venetian blinds are generally arranged to t accurately the size of thewindow to which they are applied. In the past this has required that theentire blind be designed to order and dimensioned to order and theentire box changed for each installation.

In thepresent invention this is not necessary. The members I5 and I6 arethe same size for all possible sizes of blinds. They are made as shownin Figure 14 and the hardware or associated blind supporting andoperating members are carried on them. The hardware need not be changed.All that need be changed is the central member I4. That will be whateverlength is required. This and the length of the side members 8 will varyfor a given installation.. 'Ihus in installing a series of blinds a.suitable number of uniform floor members I5 and I6 will be supplied andfor each of them the hardware which it is to carry will be supplied.

Also a suitable number of side members 3 will be supplied. These memberswill be cut to suitable length and the intermediate or central member I4 will be cut to suitable length. The box is then assembled by placingtogether the members I4, I5 and I6 in the position which they occupy inFigure 2. The side members are engaged in the grooves I1 in the bottomof these members. The parts I8 an-d I9 are then fitted into the positionin which the ears or lugs 20 engage the notches or grooves 20a and inwhich the members 2| engage the flange I3. Thus the box is lockedtogether by the members I8 and I9, and no additional fastening means arerequired. A tilting rail 25 of suitable length is supported in thebearings which are formed in or carried by the members I8 and I9.

Before or after the box is assembled, the tapes 2 and 3 are passed aboutthe rail 25 and are fastened in place by means of the members '42, orotherwise. Slats of suitable length are put into place, the cords 6 and1 are inserted, and the blind is ready for use.

From the aboveit will be clear that instead of making many differentsizes of boxes or supporting constructions to lit many differentpossible sizes of windows, it i-s possible to make a series of standardsized parts and to assemble them;

The members I and I6 are of constant dimension and the hardware memberswhich they carry are unchanged and the center piece I4 is the only floormember which is varied as to length. Thus no cutting and fitting isnecessary on the job and the entire device is flexible in the sense thatit can be adapted to windows of many sizes with a minimum of suchfitting, cutting or sizing of parts.

Since the rail 25 is to be tilted, it is necessary that it should be xedin relation to the member 32. It simplifies the con-struction to havethat member of angular cross section and to apply the stirrup-likemember 34 to the rail 25. The member 34 has a perforation which is ofthe same size and shape as the member 32. Hence when they are assembled,as shown in Figure 5, no relative rotation is possible.

In assembling the device the bottom or oor members are fitted into theside members. The head rail is then put generally in position and one ofthe bearing supports, either the member I8 or the member 28, is ttedinto position so that it engages the ange I3 of the side members 8 andengages the appropriate notches Ella in the member IB. The pin 30 isthen inserted in the opening 3|. The bearing support I8 is then movedtoward its final position and the member 32 is inserted through theopening in the member 34 and pushed far enough inwardly to bring thebearing support I8 in position to t into the notches 20a in the memberI5.

'I'he bearing support is then, in effect, sprung into position and theparts are held together, the iloor members and side members being heldtogether by the bearing supports which now also support the tilting rail25.

After this has been done, the tapes may be put in place and their endsengaged by the members 43 of the members 42 which are then screwed intopla-ce, and the tapes are in posin tion to support the slats 4. Raisingcords I are inserted. They are secured to the bottom rail 5, passupwardly through perforations 46 in the slats 4 and are positioned overthe rollers lle and 55 and 60. The tilting cord is inserted through thenotches 53 in the member I5 and is positioned in the groove pulley 4I.The blind as a whole is then assembled and ready for use.

The method of assembly would be the same no matter what the length ofthe blind and the standard floor members with their attached hardwareare tted into place on the job and require no special adjustment orspecial shaping no matter what the length of the blind with which theyare used may be.

The method of assembly requires a shaping of the side and bottom membersso that they interlock or interfit. The particular shapes here shownmight be varied widely. Any shape of the side and bottom members whichpermits them to interfit either by partially surrounding one by theother or by interlocking will carry out the purposes of the invention.The bracket members I8 and I9 are shaped to hold the bottom and sidemembers in intertting relation and are so proportioned as to draw themtightly together. Thu-s the brackets I8 and I9 tend to force the upperedges of the side members upwardly and therefore draw the lower edges ofthe side members into engagement with the bottom members.

Where the word hardware is used in the specication and claims it is tobe understood as meaning the hardware or mechanism which is used tosupport or blind.

I claim:

1. In combination, in a Venetian blind support, members defining thebottom of said support and hardware engaging said members, said bottomformed of a plurality of separate pieces, two of said pieces interttingwith said hardware.

2. In combination, in a Venetian blind support, members dening thebottom of said support and hardware engaging said members, said bottomformed of a plurality of separate pieces, two of said pieces interttingwith said hardware and im intermediate piece.

3. In combination, in a Venetian blind support, side members, membersdefining the bottom of said support and hardware engaging said members,said bottom formed of a plurality of separate pieces, two of said piecesinterfitting with said hardware and an intermediate piece engaging saidside members.

4. In combination, in a Venetian blind support, members defining thesides of said support and members dening the bottom of said support andhardware engaging said sides and said members and securing themtogether, said bottom formed of a plurality of separate pieces, two ofsaid pieces in'tertting with said hardware.

5. In combination, in a Venetian blind support, members defining thesides of said support and members defining the bottom of said supportand hardware engaging said sides and said members and securing themtogether, said bottom formed of a plurality of separate pieces, two ofsaid pieces intertting with said hardware, and an intermediate pieceengaging said side members.

6. In combination, in a Venetian blind support, members deiining thesides of said support and members dening the bottom of said support andhardware engaging said sides and said members and securing themtogether, said bottom formed of a plurality of separate pieces, two ofsaid pieces interfitting with said hardware, an intermediate pieceengaging said side members, and said two pieces forming a bottom forsaid support.

7. In combination, in a Venetian blind support, members dening the sidesof said support and members dening the bottom of said support andhardware engaging said sides and said members and securing themtogether, said bottom formed of a plurality of separate pieces, two ofsaid pieces intertting with said hardware, said hardware includingbearing supporting means, there being a rail positioned above saidbottom and supported in said bearing supporting means, one of saidbearing supporting means including members adapted to be moved to tiltsaid rail.

8. In combination in a Venetian blind having a head box, a pair ofmembers defining bottom parts of said box, and a plurality of bearingsupporting means mounted in said box and engaging said bottom portions,said last-mentioned means supporting rotating means, a tilting railpositioned above said bottom portions and provided with members engagingsaid rotating means, said rail being of varying cross section and havingits greatest width below its uppermost portion, said rail provided witha depression in its upper surface and tapes engaged upon said rail andwithin said depression, said bottom portions having cut away parts, saidtapes extending through said cut away portions of said bottom portion.

move the mechanism of the 9. In combination in a Venetian blind, a pairof members defining bottom portions, and a plurality of bearingsupporting means intertting with said bottom portions, one of saidbearing supports supporting rail tilting means and blind raising meanspositioned on said bottom members, said bottom portions supporting saidbearing supporting means.

10. In combination in a Venetian blind, a pair of members dening bottomportions, and a plurality of bearing supporting means engaging saidbottom portions, one of said bearing supports carrying rail tiltingmeans, said bottom portions supporting said bearing supporting means,and said tilting means.

11. In combination in a Venetian blind, a pair of members definingbottom portions, and a plurality of bearing supporting means engagingsaid bottom portions, one of said bearing supports supporting railtilting means, and blind raising means positioned on said bottommembers, said bottom portions intertting with said bearing supportingmeans and said tilting means, and said raising means.

12. In combination in a Venetian blind, a pair of members definingbottom portions, a pair of side members, the side members and bottomportions interlocking with each other, and a plurality of bearingsupporting means engaging said bottom portions and said side members andto lock them together, said bottom portions supporting said bearingsupporting means and an inter- 10 mediate separate bottom memberpositioned between said iirst mentioned bottom portions and engagingsaid side members 13. In combination in a Venetian blind, a pair ofmembers defining bottom portions, a pair of side members, the sidemembers and bottom portions interlocking With each other, and aplurality of bearing supporting means engaging said bottom portions andsaid side members and to lock them together, and blind raising meansposi tioned on said bottom members, said bottom portions receiving saidbearing supporting means and said raising means.

14. In combination in the head construction of a Venetian blind, meansdefining a box, said means including a bottom member, side members andhardware supporting means, said bottom and side members interlockingwith each other, and said hardware supporting means engaging said bottomand said sides and to lock them together to form a finished boX.

I-IE'NRY J. MACKIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,894,833 Ruby Jan. 17, 19331,949,653 Moore Mar. 6, 1934 2,152,116 Wade Mar. 28, 1939

